Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Czechs fined after birthday party at hotel

PRAGUE: Czech soccer officials have fined the national team one million crowns (US$47,530) for throwing a party until the early hours of Sunday, after they had lost to Germany in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

The Czech Soccer Union said the players had been celebrating the 29th birthday of Fiorentina defender Tomas Ujfalusi (pic).

“Because the celebration was conducted in an inappropriate way, which does not fall in line with the behaviour of the Czech Republic national team members, the whole team were punished by a one-million-crown fine,” the union said in a statement.

Coach Karel Brueckner was quoted by news agency CTK as saying it was the worst disciplinary offence he had experienced and that it briefly made him consider resigning.

Tabloid daily Sip reported on Monday that Ujfalusi, captain Tomas Rosicky, Jan Polak, Martin Jiranek and Marek Cech had held a party in a room at the Praha Hotel until at least 5.30am.

The players, who will share the cost of the fine among the whole team, admitted having a late party.

The Czechs lost 2-1 to Germany on Saturday after a weak performance that sparked wide criticism of the team and Brueckner.